The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. It consists of the heads of state or government of the member states, together with its President and the President of the Commission.

The Council of the EU is the institution representing the member states' governments. Also known informally as the EU Council, it is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.

On 30-31 March 2015, President Tusk will visit Malta, Spain and Tunisia to discuss how the EU can help:

stabilise the region

counter terrorist threats

prevent and fight illegal migration

The EU High Representative, Federica Mogherini, will join his visit to Tunisia.

Instability in the southern Mediterranean poses a serious threat for the whole of Europe. In June 2014, the European Council made it one of its strategic priorities to ensure effective EU cooperation on security issues, such as terrorism and the management of migration flows.

In February this year following the terrorist attacks in Paris and Copenhagen, the EU leaders agreed an ambitious workplan on how to step up the fight against terrorism and extremist violence.

Following-up on the March European Council conclusions, President Tusk will also discuss the crisis in Libya and its regional, and international dimensions.

Visit Donald Tusk's webpage to know his detailed schedule in the region and check his latest comments:

On 30-31 March 2015, President Tusk will visit Malta, Spain and Tunisia to discuss how the EU can help:

stabilise the region

counter terrorist threats

prevent and fight illegal migration

The EU High Representative, Federica Mogherini, will join his visit to Tunisia.

Instability in the southern Mediterranean poses a serious threat for the whole of Europe. In June 2014, the European Council made it one of its strategic priorities to ensure effective EU cooperation on security issues, such as terrorism and the management of migration flows.

In February this year following the terrorist attacks in Paris and Copenhagen, the EU leaders agreed an ambitious workplan on how to step up the fight against terrorism and extremist violence.

Following-up on the March European Council conclusions, President Tusk will also discuss the crisis in Libya and its regional, and international dimensions.

Visit Donald Tusk's webpage to know his detailed schedule in the region and check his latest comments:

The European Council

The European Council defines the EU's general political direction and priorities. It consists of the heads of state or government of the EU's member states, together with its President and the European Commission President.

The Council of the EU

The Council of the EU is the institution representing the member states' governments. Also known informally as the EU Council, it is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.

Animation explaining how the decision-making process in the Council works

The Council is an essential EU decision-maker. It negotiates and adopts new EU legislation, adapts it when necessary, and coordinates policies. In most cases, the Council decides together with the European Parliament through the ordinary legislative procedure, also known as 'codecision'.

In a number of very specific areas, the Council takes decisions using special legislative procedures - the consent procedure and the consultation procedure - where the role of the Parliament is limited.

Framework for a European energy union

The EU aims to reduce its domestic greenhouse gas emissions and become the world leader in renewable energy

The energy union was one of the five priorities in the European Council's strategic agenda, adopted on 26-27 June 2014. In particular, EU leaders underlined the importance of the energy union to avoid the EU relying on energy imports. The European Council asked the Commission to present a comprehensive energy union proposal in the first quarter of 2015.

The energy union package was published on 25 February 2015. It aims to ensure affordable, secure and sustainable energy for Europe and its citizens. Specific measures cover five key areas, including energy security, energy efficiency and decarbonisation. The package builds on the 2030 climate and energy framework and the 2014 energy security strategy and integrates several policy areas into a single cohesive strategy.

EU leaders discussed the energy union proposals in depth at the European Council meeting on 19-20 March 2015.

European fund for strategic investments: Council agrees its negotiating stance

The European fund for strategic investments is expected to generate about €315 billion of additional investment throughout the EU over a period of three years

On 10 March 2015 the Council agreed its negotiating stance on a draft regulation that sets out rules for establishing the European fund for strategic investments (EFSI). The agreement allows the Council to start negotiations with the European Parliament on the final version of the regulation. Their agreement is expected by June so that the fund can start operating in mid-2015.

The fund would be established within the European Investment Bank (EIB). It would support projects in areas such as transport, energy and digital infrastructure, education, health, and research and development, as well as risk finance for small and medium-sized businesses.

The fund is a core element of the 'Investment plan for Europe' designed to increase investments, address market gaps and boost long-term economic growth.

In focus

Framework for a European energy union

Renewable energy sources in the EU

16/03/2015

The EU aims to reduce its domestic greenhouse gas emissions and become the world leader in renewable energy

The energy union was one of the five priorities in the European Council's strategic agenda, adopted on 26-27 June 2014. In particular, EU leaders underlined the importance of the energy union to avoid the EU relying on energy imports. The European Council asked the Commission to present a comprehensive energy union proposal in the first quarter of 2015.

The energy union package was published on 25 February 2015. It aims to ensure affordable, secure and sustainable energy for Europe and its citizens. Specific measures cover five key areas, including energy security, energy efficiency and decarbonisation. The package builds on the 2030 climate and energy framework and the 2014 energy security strategy and integrates several policy areas into a single cohesive strategy.

EU leaders discussed the energy union proposals in depth at the European Council meeting on 19-20 March 2015.

European fund for strategic investments: Council agrees its negotiating stance

Investment plan for Europe

10/03/2015

The European fund for strategic investments is expected to generate about €315 billion of additional investment throughout the EU over a period of three years

On 10 March 2015 the Council agreed its negotiating stance on a draft regulation that sets out rules for establishing the European fund for strategic investments (EFSI). The agreement allows the Council to start negotiations with the European Parliament on the final version of the regulation. Their agreement is expected by June so that the fund can start operating in mid-2015.

The fund would be established within the European Investment Bank (EIB). It would support projects in areas such as transport, energy and digital infrastructure, education, health, and research and development, as well as risk finance for small and medium-sized businesses.

The fund is a core element of the 'Investment plan for Europe' designed to increase investments, address market gaps and boost long-term economic growth.